Top Five 125cc Scooters in India - 2014

on 10, July 2014

By

Jaichandran Jayapalan

Most scooters in India have for long been equipped with engines that displaced less than 110cc. Fuel efficiency was the primary factor for this restriction, as automatic scooters tended to deliver a mileage figure that was much lower than motorcycles with similar capacity engines mated to manual transmissions. With the strides taken forward in automotive technology, automatic scooters are now almost as efficient to run as motorcycles, if not more. Consumers have also realised the convenience of scooters in urban environments, and are willing to trade high mileage for hassle-free riding in the ever-increasing traffic congestion on our roads.

Now, while sub-110cc scooters are efficient, they lack the power to operate effortlessly in all situations. Overtaking is laborious, and cruising at speeds above 65 kmph puts a lot of strain the engine, which is detrimental to both mileage and engine life. 125cc scooters offer the best balance between fuel-efficiency and performance. Although the increase in displacement may seem marginal, the improvements are significant. Power and torque outputs increase, and are generated at a lower rpm. This translates to quicker acceleration, and the ability to cruise at relaxed engine speeds, while mileage drops only by a very small margin compared to a sub-110cc scooter.

Two-wheeler manufacturers in India, having recognized the strong consumer demand for powerful-but-fuel-efficient scooters, are slowly but steadily introducing products in the 125cc automatic scooter segment. Here is our pick of the top five 125cc scooters in India.

1. Honda Activa 125

Although the Honda Activa 125 is the newest entrant to the 125cc scooter segment, it offers a package that is hard to resist. It has a powerful, yet fuel-efficient engine, comes with valuable additions such as telescopic front suspension, a front disc brake and alloy wheels, and its restrained styling exudes an air of sophistication, giving it the look of a premium product. It may be priced at a slightly higher point than its rivals, but you pay only for what you get. For what it offers, the Activa 125 is our pick as the top 125cc scooter in India.

Engine

124.9cc air-cooled single cylinder

Power

8.6 bhp @ 6500 rpm

Torque

10.12 Nm @ 5500 rpm

Brakes

Front: Drum – Dia:130mm (190mm Disc optional)

Rear: Drum – Dia:130mm

Suspension

Front: Telescopic forks

Rear: Solo hydraulic shock absorber

Wheelbase

1260 mm

Ground Clearance

155 mm

Kerb Weight

111 kg

Fuel Tank Capacity

5.3 Litres

Claimed Mileage

60 kmpl

Price

(Ex-Showroom, Delhi)

Rs 52,447

2. Suzuki Swish

The Suzuki Swish is a very popular 125cc scooter amongst the Indian masses. It comes with a powerful engine that offers strong acceleration, has a refreshing design, and rides comfortably. Moreover, it is built well, reliable, and inexpensive to maintain. The only area it lacks is in the features section. The Swish does comes with a cavernous underseat storage space, but nothing much else. This is may not be a major drawback, but it shows up as a shortcoming when compared with its competitors.

Engine

124cc air-cooled single cylinder

Power

8.58 bhp @ 7000 rpm

Torque

9.8 Nm @ 5000 rpm

Brakes

Front: Drum – Dia:120mm

Rear: Drum – Dia:120mm

Suspension

Front: Telescopic forks

Rear: Solo hydraulic shock absorbers

Wheelbase

1250 mm

Ground Clearance

160 mm

Kerb Weight

110 kg

Fuel Tank Capacity

6 Litres

Claimed Mileage

54 kmpl

Price

(Ex-Showroom, Delhi)

Rs 46,530

3. Mahindra Rodeo RZ

The Mahindra Rodeo RZ's dimensions may make it seem like a sub-100cc scooter. Don't be fooled though, for under that body lies a potent 125cc engine. The Rodeo RZ is Mahinda 2Wheelers' flagship scooter, and a good one at that. Thanks to a combination of a powerful engine and a light kerb weight, the Rodeo RZ accelerates switly and briskly. It comes loaded with a lot of features too, such as a fully digital display with a tachometer, tripmeter, acceleration timer, overspeed alarm and a clock, a cell phone charger socket, a massive underseat storage space with a handy light, front-mounted fuel-filler, anti-theft key, and a side-stand indicator. That said, it does have a few flaws. Its design looks outdated, and the quality of plastics used isn't up to the mark. The Mahindra Rodeo RZ maybe a competant scooter in the segment, but it isn't as good as its Japanese rivals.

Engine

124.6cc air-cooled single cylinder

Power

8 bhp @ 7000 rpm

Torque

9 Nm @ 5500 rpm

Brakes

Front: Drum – Dia:130mm

Rear: Drum – Dia:130mm

Suspension

Front: Telescopic forks

Rear: Solo hydraulic shock absorbers

Wheelbase

1245 mm

Ground Clearance

154 mm

Kerb Weight

106 kg

Fuel Tank Capacity

4.5 L

Claimed Mileage

60 kmpl

Price

(Ex-Showroom, Delhi)

Rs 46,257

4. Vespa VX 125

The Vespa is an iconic scooter, and has a massive fan following across all countries. It looks stunning, is quick on its feet, and has a sublime ride quality. It even comes with a front disc brake, and you can have it in a wide variety of colours. The only stumbling block is its price - at a whopping Rs 71,380, the Vespa VX 125 is nearly Rs 15,000 more than its nearest competitor, the disc-brake equipped Activa 125. You do get a high quality product for your money, but that price point puts the Vespa VX 125 out of reach for a majority of the scooter buying population. A talented and good-looking scooter it is, but at a price.

Engine

125cc air-cooled single cylinder

Power

10 bhp @ 7500 rpm

Torque

10.6 Nm @ 6000 rpm

Brakes

Front: Drum – Dia:130mm

Rear: Drum – Dia:130mm

Suspension

Front: Telescopic forks

Rear: Solo hydraulic shock absorbers

Wheelbase

1290 mm

Ground Clearance

155 mm

Kerb Weight

114 kg

Fuel Tank Capacity

8 L

Claimed Mileage

60 kmpl

Price

(Ex-Showroom, Delhi)

Rs 71,380

5. Suzuki Access 125

The Access is a popular scooter in India. It was Suzuki's first product in the segment when the company first forayed into the Indian two-wheeler market in 2007. It offered power-packed performance, high quality build, and reliability, all in an affordable package. Now though, the 125cc scooter segment has changed. Its contenders offer similar or better performance, with far more features, one area where the Access lacks heavily. The scooter's plain jane looks don't help either, in the face of rivals with fresher and more contemporary styling. The Suzuki Access is a good scooter, albeit very a spartan one.